Daddy Mommy Ball teams and Playing College Softball

[Battle]

GAMETIME STARS 97 (OKC)
2009 USSSA 11U NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
2010 USFA 12U-A WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS
2011 USSSA 14-U WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

LW,

Where is ASA accomplishments?

Well since you asked, I guess I'd have to say the only ASA accomplishment was finishing 2nd to the Georgia Impact at last years Hall of Fame. A tournament where we beat some VERY GOOD Texas teams who I have alot of respect for. You see im not gonna get on here and bash because you guys are narrow minded and believe there is only 1 path to the end of the rainbow. I just believe different. If you guys want to continue to believe that its better to go finish 17th at ASA nationals in 12u and 14u then go ahead. I know this we have pre-registered or made contact for many exposures already and NOT ONE has denied us entry because we didnt play ASA Nationals. I also know that the 2 colleges I spoke to last week about 2 of my players NEVER asked what associations we had been playing. Finaly, I have always said that once you get to 2nd yr. 14U and up that yes, you probably need to switch to ASA or now Premier, but up to that point, IT IS NOT NECCESSARY!!

All that may be true but I know that some of the letters that we have received ask “who is your ASA coach”. I'm not saying it means a whole hell of a lot but still...As a matter of fact one is from your state...Have you received one from OU?

I have personally spoken with a D-1 coach who has gotten his team to OKC the last 2 years and asked him point blank what is the best way to get his attention. His response? Well he didnt say play for a big organization and he didnt say verbal early, in fact, he didnt even say run all over the country chasing exposure tournaments. He did say, send my recruiting coordinator your information and ......... COME TO MY CAMP!!! He said at camp, I get to spend a week with you, at a tournament Im watching you for 15 minutes because I have 30 other kids to see. He also said it helps to be realistic in your choices and consider factors like in state tuition vs out of state tuition. Oh and for him the first statistic he looks at......The GPA. If its not high enough to get some Academic money then he's probably moving on to someones who is.

Of course college coaches are going to say “come to my camp”. IMO, what he told you is true especially if it's an invite but to solely depend on camps and not compete in ASA or PGF is a mistake IMO. I think you have to find a balance, especially at the younger ages.

[Underdog]

GAMETIME STARS 97 (OKC)
2009 USSSA 11U NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
2010 USFA 12U-A WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS
2011 USSSA 14-U WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

LW,

Where is ASA accomplishments?

Well since you asked, I guess I'd have to say the only ASA accomplishment was finishing 2nd to the Georgia Impact at last years Hall of Fame. A tournament where we beat some VERY GOOD Texas teams who I have alot of respect for. You see im not gonna get on here and bash because you guys are narrow minded and believe there is only 1 path to the end of the rainbow. I just believe different. If you guys want to continue to believe that its better to go finish 17th at ASA nationals in 12u and 14u then go ahead. I know this we have pre-registered or made contact for many exposures already and NOT ONE has denied us entry because we didnt play ASA Nationals. I also know that the 2 colleges I spoke to last week about 2 of my players NEVER asked what associations we had been playing. Finaly, I have always said that once you get to 2nd yr. 14U and up that yes, you probably need to switch to ASA or now Premier, but up to that point, IT IS NOT NECCESSARY!!

Your accomplishments are impressive and I admit I know nothing about USSSA but after looking at their website I'm curious as to why your team would play in the 14U "B" world series after winning USFA "A" the year before ? A college coach once told our team if you're winning all of the tournaments you play in , then you're playing in the wrong tournaments.

[Lunatic Fringe]

GAMETIME STARS 97 (OKC)
2009 USSSA 11U NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
2010 USFA 12U-A WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS
2011 USSSA 14-U WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

LW,

Where is ASA accomplishments?

Well since you asked, I guess I'd have to say the only ASA accomplishment was finishing 2nd to the Georgia Impact at last years Hall of Fame. A tournament where we beat some VERY GOOD Texas teams who I have alot of respect for. You see im not gonna get on here and bash because you guys are narrow minded and believe there is only 1 path to the end of the rainbow. I just believe different. If you guys want to continue to believe that its better to go finish 17th at ASA nationals in 12u and 14u then go ahead. I know this we have pre-registered or made contact for many exposures already and NOT ONE has denied us entry because we didnt play ASA Nationals. I also know that the 2 colleges I spoke to last week about 2 of my players NEVER asked what associations we had been playing. Finaly, I have always said that once you get to 2nd yr. 14U and up that yes, you probably need to switch to ASA or now Premier, but up to that point, IT IS NOT NECCESSARY!!

Your accomplishments are impressive and I admit I know nothing about USSSA but after looking at their website I'm curious as to why your team would play in the 14U "B" world series after winning USFA "A" the year before ? A college coach once told our team if you're winning all of the tournaments you play in , then you're playing in the wrong tournaments.

I believe the original poster's point has been made.
For myself and my DD, I'd rather not ride off into Gold paying full price and having me and the coach learn as we go. I'd rather gain the benefit of people who have been there before. Financially if costs the same to do it right or do it bass akwards. Finding out you did it wrong the summer of your daughters SR year would be tragic.

[D31st]

Wow, and you should see all the daddyball teams in N Texas too. I agree, when it is time to prepare for being recruited, find a proven fastpitch organization and get your D1 daughter off to college. Daddyball loyalty does not pay tuition and books. We all have seen this very same mistake being made. ADVICE: Go to a non-parent coached team that will help you in the recruiting process. Do your research, contact your colleges, and market your daughters skills. Some parents do not like the Glory or Texas Peppers type of organizations but hey...as my mamma says, the proof is in the pudding.

[soreshins]

You do not want you daughter to be part of a group that "makes" the reputation of a gold program. Rather, you want to go to a gold program that already has a reputation for being a quality gold program.

[SoftballG]

LW, you make some good points but please stop throwing your so called national championships out there it's really not that relevant to this discussion..

I apologize sir. I only brought them up to emphasize that fact that not all "Daddy Ball" coaches are inexperienced or dont know what they are doing.

I'm not a sir but good luck to you and your team in the future.

[arkansassoftball]

Oh no... You don't want to go play for the Organization that is known for getting the most recruits and the coaches who all the college coaches know already. Instead go play for Sally's dad who asked a question to a coach one time at a camp and is now an expert... even though the college coach had no idea who they were or what team they coached.

No offense to those of you coming up through the ranks who think you know more then the ones who have been there and done that and know what works and what doesn't; but here is a story from a parent on my daughter's team:

Their oldest daughter played for a strong daddy coached team that even won ASA 14A Southern Nationals and ASA 16A Southern Nationals and even placed in the Top 50 at USA/ASA A Nationals, then they played all the Gold qualifiers. She ended up signing with a small Div 2 that had hired a new coach during the summer after her Jr year. Now with daughter #2, who is only 2 years younger then older daughter, fall of her Soph year, they put her on an Org Gold team that was known for getting their kids recruited. After that first fall season, she went on a visit to her dream school, which was set up by her Gold coach and she ended up verballing to a school that was at the WCWS this year.

[ceelo9]

How about younger daughter was a better player than big sister?

[onedownonetogo]

For the sake of discussion here, name a non-parent organization in Texas totally run by non-parent coaches who get their players signed at division I and II schools.

The reality is that most of the softball organizations were at least originally started by daddys and mommys. Texas Impact, Texas Storm, Houston Power, Texas Peppers, Texas Bombers, Texas Blaze, Texas Glory-Shelton, Texas Glory-Adkins, Texas Elite, American Freedom, FW Batbusters, Texas Travelers, and the Corona Angels are just a few. These programs may have gone beyond that now but at first they were started by daddys and mommys, and most still have the majority of their coaches as daddys and mommys.

I unfortunately have watched parents sold this line about non-parent coaches and then get sucked into a non-parent, coached organization with a former college player coach, baseball people. who have no idea what to do to get a softball player recruited. I have also seen non-parent coached organizations who do a great job of recruiting. You have to make a decision that is best for your kid.

[FanForever]

Texas Eclipse Gold